The Cat and the Hat
I enjoyed rereading The Cat and the Hat story. As I was reading the book I didn’t notice the anarchy in it. After thinking about it more, I realized that there could be a battle between the nonsense and wanting to do the right thing. I think that mainly this book shows a good message to children that there need to be rules followed.
a. Is there a contemporary book that has this tension presented in The Cat in the Hat?
There is not a current book that I could think of that presented a tension.
b. Does this book still appeal to children and why?
This book is still adored by children and will probably always be a classic for children to read.
The Lorax
I am surprised that the Lorax was controversial. The Lorax is didactic because it displays the importance of taking care of our Earth. Many different children’s books display a message that is didactic, but I don’t think any compare to the message in this book.
Seuss. (1957). The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House Children’s Books.
Seuss. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House Children's Books.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Newbery vs Caldecott
The American Library Association gives the Newbery and Caldecott Awards each year. The Newbery is awarded for the “most distinguished American children’s book.” It was the first award given for children’s books. The purpose was "to encourage original creative work in the field of books for children.” The award was named after English writer John Newbery.
The Caldecott is awarded to “the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book.” This award was created later because the ALA realized that artists creating picture books needed to be rewarded as well. The award goes to the artist whether or not he or she is the author of the text. The award was named in honor of English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott.
Each award is a great honor to achieve and not necessarily better than the other. Books can sometimes be nominated for both awards, but judges will only vote for it under one of the awards.
The John Newbery Award. Retrieved on July 18, 2009 from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/aboutnewbery/aboutnewbery.cfm
The Caldecott is awarded to “the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book.” This award was created later because the ALA realized that artists creating picture books needed to be rewarded as well. The award goes to the artist whether or not he or she is the author of the text. The award was named in honor of English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott.
Each award is a great honor to achieve and not necessarily better than the other. Books can sometimes be nominated for both awards, but judges will only vote for it under one of the awards.
The John Newbery Award. Retrieved on July 18, 2009 from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/aboutnewbery/aboutnewbery.cfm
Coretta Scott King Bronx Masquerade
Grimes, N. (2002). Bronx Masquerade. New York: Dial Books.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I absolutely loved this book and it was my favorite that I was asked to read. I loved that the story wove poetry into the lives of the students we read about. I love how there was a teacher who was involved in the lives of his students to create a weekly poetry reading session. After reading the poetry the students learned more about themselves and each other. After reading the poetry a student said he felt like his fellow classmates weren’t as different as he once thought.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
This story reminded me of why I’m a teacher and how I want to impact the lives of my students beyond the classroom.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book reminded me of a mix of the movie Dangerous Minds and the book Goodbye Mr. Chips. This book told the story of a teacher who encouraged his students to become involved in their poetry just like these teachers were involved in their students. In this book many students came from challenging lives and told about them in their poetry.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that children’s literature can inspire you to follow your dreams. It can also give you great ideas for things to do in your classroom.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I absolutely loved this book and it was my favorite that I was asked to read. I loved that the story wove poetry into the lives of the students we read about. I love how there was a teacher who was involved in the lives of his students to create a weekly poetry reading session. After reading the poetry the students learned more about themselves and each other. After reading the poetry a student said he felt like his fellow classmates weren’t as different as he once thought.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
This story reminded me of why I’m a teacher and how I want to impact the lives of my students beyond the classroom.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book reminded me of a mix of the movie Dangerous Minds and the book Goodbye Mr. Chips. This book told the story of a teacher who encouraged his students to become involved in their poetry just like these teachers were involved in their students. In this book many students came from challenging lives and told about them in their poetry.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that children’s literature can inspire you to follow your dreams. It can also give you great ideas for things to do in your classroom.
Jerry Pinkney Rikki Tikki Tavi
Kipling. R. (1997). Rikki Tikki Tavi. New York: Morrow Junior Books.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I did not like the plot of this book. It was about a mongoose versus a snake. I also never felt like I developed an interest for the mongoose or the family it was protecting.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I have never experienced a story where I enjoyed reading about snakes or mongooses. I also never really being interested in what I’m reading and care about the main characters and I did not develop that interest.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
The book is similar to the story of Because of Winn Dixie. They both involved stories of animals and their owners establishing relationships. The difference is that I cared about the characters of Opal and Winn Dixie more than I did the mongoose and his family.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that not all children’s literature is interesting to adults, but hopefully it has interest with young boys or girls.
Other Books by Jerry Pinkney
Selected Books Illustrated for Children The Adventures of Spider: West African Folk Tales, written by Joyce Cooper Arkhurst, Little, Brown, 1964.
Folktales and Fairytales of Africa, compiled by Lila Green, Silver Burdett, 1967.
Babushka and the Pig, written by Ann Trofimuk, Houghton, 1969.
More Adventures of Spider, written by Joyce Cooper Arkhurst, Scholastic Book Services, 1972.
Song of the Trees, written by Mildred D. Taylor, Dial, 1975.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, written by Mildred D. Taylor, Dial, 1976.
Mary McLeod Bethune (biography), written by Eloise Greenfield, Crowell, 1977.
Tonweya and the Eagles, and Other Lakota Indian Tales, written by Rosebud Yellow Robe, Dial, 1979.
Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir, written by Eloise Greenfield and Lessie Jones Little, Crowell, 1979.
Count on Your Fingers African Style, written by Glaudia Zaslavsky, Crowell, 1980.
The Patchwork Quilt, written by Valerie Flournoy, Dial, 1985. Half a Moon and One Whole Star, written by Crescent Dragonwagon, Macmillan, 1986
Creatures of the Desert World and Strange Animals of the Sea, written by Barbara Gibson, National Geographic Society, 1987.
The Tales of Uncle Remus, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1987.
More Tales of Uncle Remus: Further Adventures of Brer Rabbit, His Friends, Enemies and Others, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1988.
Mirandy and Brother Wind, written by Pat McKissack, Knopf, 1988.
The Talking Eggs, written by Robert D. San Souci, Dial, 1989.
Turtle in July, written by Marilyn Singer, Macmillan, 1989.
Home Place, written by Crescent Dragonwagon, Macmillan, 1990.
Pretend You're a Cat, written by Jean Marzollo, Dial, 1990.
Back Home, written by Gloria Jean Pinkney, Dial/Penguin, 1992.
The Last Tales of Uncle Remus, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1994.
The Sunday Outing, written by Gloria Jean Pinkney, Dial/Penguin, 1994.
John Henry, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1994.
Tanya's Reunion, written by Valerie Flournoy, Dial, 1995.
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, written by Alan Schroeder, Dial/Penguin, 1996.
The Hired Hand: An African-American Folktale, written by Robert D. San Souci, Dial, 1997.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I did not like the plot of this book. It was about a mongoose versus a snake. I also never felt like I developed an interest for the mongoose or the family it was protecting.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I have never experienced a story where I enjoyed reading about snakes or mongooses. I also never really being interested in what I’m reading and care about the main characters and I did not develop that interest.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
The book is similar to the story of Because of Winn Dixie. They both involved stories of animals and their owners establishing relationships. The difference is that I cared about the characters of Opal and Winn Dixie more than I did the mongoose and his family.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that not all children’s literature is interesting to adults, but hopefully it has interest with young boys or girls.
Other Books by Jerry Pinkney
Selected Books Illustrated for Children The Adventures of Spider: West African Folk Tales, written by Joyce Cooper Arkhurst, Little, Brown, 1964.
Folktales and Fairytales of Africa, compiled by Lila Green, Silver Burdett, 1967.
Babushka and the Pig, written by Ann Trofimuk, Houghton, 1969.
More Adventures of Spider, written by Joyce Cooper Arkhurst, Scholastic Book Services, 1972.
Song of the Trees, written by Mildred D. Taylor, Dial, 1975.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, written by Mildred D. Taylor, Dial, 1976.
Mary McLeod Bethune (biography), written by Eloise Greenfield, Crowell, 1977.
Tonweya and the Eagles, and Other Lakota Indian Tales, written by Rosebud Yellow Robe, Dial, 1979.
Childtimes: A Three-Generation Memoir, written by Eloise Greenfield and Lessie Jones Little, Crowell, 1979.
Count on Your Fingers African Style, written by Glaudia Zaslavsky, Crowell, 1980.
The Patchwork Quilt, written by Valerie Flournoy, Dial, 1985. Half a Moon and One Whole Star, written by Crescent Dragonwagon, Macmillan, 1986
Creatures of the Desert World and Strange Animals of the Sea, written by Barbara Gibson, National Geographic Society, 1987.
The Tales of Uncle Remus, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1987.
More Tales of Uncle Remus: Further Adventures of Brer Rabbit, His Friends, Enemies and Others, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1988.
Mirandy and Brother Wind, written by Pat McKissack, Knopf, 1988.
The Talking Eggs, written by Robert D. San Souci, Dial, 1989.
Turtle in July, written by Marilyn Singer, Macmillan, 1989.
Home Place, written by Crescent Dragonwagon, Macmillan, 1990.
Pretend You're a Cat, written by Jean Marzollo, Dial, 1990.
Back Home, written by Gloria Jean Pinkney, Dial/Penguin, 1992.
The Last Tales of Uncle Remus, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1994.
The Sunday Outing, written by Gloria Jean Pinkney, Dial/Penguin, 1994.
John Henry, written by Julius Lester, Dial, 1994.
Tanya's Reunion, written by Valerie Flournoy, Dial, 1995.
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, written by Alan Schroeder, Dial/Penguin, 1996.
The Hired Hand: An African-American Folktale, written by Robert D. San Souci, Dial, 1997.
Caldecott Winner The Three Pigs
Wiesner, D. (2001). The Three Pigs. New York. Clarion Books.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this book took a different take on a traditional story. It was neat to see that the three pigs came out of the story to create their own. I thought the illustrations helped to show the creative story aspects.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I think my enjoyment in reading the classic Three Pigs story made this story enjoyable. I like that the animals still defeated the big bad wolf.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book is very comparable to the three pigs book, but it changes the ending to the story. It is a very creative take on the traditional story.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that old stories can be made new in a creative way.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this book took a different take on a traditional story. It was neat to see that the three pigs came out of the story to create their own. I thought the illustrations helped to show the creative story aspects.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I think my enjoyment in reading the classic Three Pigs story made this story enjoyable. I like that the animals still defeated the big bad wolf.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book is very comparable to the three pigs book, but it changes the ending to the story. It is a very creative take on the traditional story.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that old stories can be made new in a creative way.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Laurence Yep Cockroach Cooties
Yep, L. (2000). Cockroach Cooties. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this book was about siblings who bonded together to get rid of a bully. I thought the title was cute, but that the book was more about the friendship of two brothers and not so much the cooties of bugs. I think this would be a good book to use to introduce students to a different culture because it is about a Chinese family living in California.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
This book reminded me of the way I stood up for my younger sister. She was never bullied because she always had her big sister looking out for her. I could also relate to the way these two brothers argued and fought but trusted in each other.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book reminded of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Both books involve younger brothers that get in trouble and they need help from their older brothers. Both books show the relationships between brothers and the joy of having a family.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?I learned that children’s literature can be multicultural and show children different backgrounds.
Other Books by Laurence Yep
The Serpent's Children (1849)
Mountain Light (1855)
Dragon's Gate (1867) (Newbery Honor)
The Traitor (1885)
Dragonwings (1903) (Newbery Honor)
Dragon Road (1939) (originally titled The Red Warrior)
Child of the Owl (1960)
Sea Glass (1970)
Thief of Hearts (1995)
Dragon
Dragon of the Lost Sea
Dragon Steel
Dragon Cauldron
Dragon War
Chinatown Mysteries
The Case of the Goblin Pearls
The Case of the Lion Dance
The Case of the Firecrackers
The Tiger's Apprentice
The Tiger's Apprentice: Book One
Tiger's Blood: Book Two
Tiger Magic: Book Three
Ribbons (untitled group of books)
Ribbons
The Cook's Family
The Amah
Angelfish
Later, Gator (untitled group of books)
Later, Gator
Skunk Scout
Nonfiction
American Dragons: Twenty-five Asian American Voices (editor)
The Lost Garden (autobiography, part of the In my own Words series)
Picture Books
The Magic Paintbrush
The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty and the Beast Tale
The Butterfly Boy
The Shell Woman and the King: a Chinese folktale
The Khan's Daughter: a Mongolian folktale
When the Circus Came to Town
The Ghost Fox
The Boy Who Swallowed Snakes
The Man who Tricked a Ghost
Other books
Tongues of Jade
The Rainbow People
Sweetwater
The Star Fisher
Dream Soul (sequel to The Star Fisher)
Hiroshima: A Novella
The Earth Dragon Awakes: the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
Lady of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior of the South (part of The Royal Diaries series)
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner (part of the I Am America series)
Spring Pearl: The Last Flower (part of the Girls of Many Lands series)
The Imp that Ate My Homework
Kind Hearts and Gentle Monsters
The Mark Twain Murders
The Tom Sawyer Fires
Shadow Lord (a Star Trek novel)
Mia
Bravo, Mia!
Plays
The Age of Wonders
Dragonwings
Pay the Chinaman (one-act)
Fairy Bones (one-act)
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this book was about siblings who bonded together to get rid of a bully. I thought the title was cute, but that the book was more about the friendship of two brothers and not so much the cooties of bugs. I think this would be a good book to use to introduce students to a different culture because it is about a Chinese family living in California.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
This book reminded me of the way I stood up for my younger sister. She was never bullied because she always had her big sister looking out for her. I could also relate to the way these two brothers argued and fought but trusted in each other.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This book reminded of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Both books involve younger brothers that get in trouble and they need help from their older brothers. Both books show the relationships between brothers and the joy of having a family.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?I learned that children’s literature can be multicultural and show children different backgrounds.
Other Books by Laurence Yep
The Serpent's Children (1849)
Mountain Light (1855)
Dragon's Gate (1867) (Newbery Honor)
The Traitor (1885)
Dragonwings (1903) (Newbery Honor)
Dragon Road (1939) (originally titled The Red Warrior)
Child of the Owl (1960)
Sea Glass (1970)
Thief of Hearts (1995)
Dragon
Dragon of the Lost Sea
Dragon Steel
Dragon Cauldron
Dragon War
Chinatown Mysteries
The Case of the Goblin Pearls
The Case of the Lion Dance
The Case of the Firecrackers
The Tiger's Apprentice
The Tiger's Apprentice: Book One
Tiger's Blood: Book Two
Tiger Magic: Book Three
Ribbons (untitled group of books)
Ribbons
The Cook's Family
The Amah
Angelfish
Later, Gator (untitled group of books)
Later, Gator
Skunk Scout
Nonfiction
American Dragons: Twenty-five Asian American Voices (editor)
The Lost Garden (autobiography, part of the In my own Words series)
Picture Books
The Magic Paintbrush
The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty and the Beast Tale
The Butterfly Boy
The Shell Woman and the King: a Chinese folktale
The Khan's Daughter: a Mongolian folktale
When the Circus Came to Town
The Ghost Fox
The Boy Who Swallowed Snakes
The Man who Tricked a Ghost
Other books
Tongues of Jade
The Rainbow People
Sweetwater
The Star Fisher
Dream Soul (sequel to The Star Fisher)
Hiroshima: A Novella
The Earth Dragon Awakes: the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
Lady of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior of the South (part of The Royal Diaries series)
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner (part of the I Am America series)
Spring Pearl: The Last Flower (part of the Girls of Many Lands series)
The Imp that Ate My Homework
Kind Hearts and Gentle Monsters
The Mark Twain Murders
The Tom Sawyer Fires
Shadow Lord (a Star Trek novel)
Mia
Bravo, Mia!
Plays
The Age of Wonders
Dragonwings
Pay the Chinaman (one-act)
Fairy Bones (one-act)
Yoshiko Uchida The Wise Old Woman
Uchida, Y. (1994). The Wise Old Woman. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this was a short story where a woman was able to provide the answers to the riddles over the men. I thought it was neat that the son disobeyed the rules and hid his mom and she ended up provided the solution needed.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I was influenced by my joy trying to figure out riddles and the meaning of things. This contributed to my enjoyment reading this story.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This story reminded me of the story of Moses. Moses and all children were to be killed. Moses parents put him in a basket for someone to save. He was found, raised illegally, and turned out to be an amazing biblical character. Thankfully someone didn’t listen and spared the lives of the old woman and Moses.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that children’s stories can tell a message and prove that adults don’t always have all the right answers.
Other Books by Yoshiko Uchida
The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography
The Terrible Leak
Picture Bride
The Dancing Kettle and Other Japanese Folk Tales (1949)
New Friends for Susan (1951)
The Magic Listening Cap: More Folk Tales from Japan (1955)
The Full Circle (1957)
Takao and Grandfather's Sword (1958)
The Promised Year (1959)
Mik and the Prowler (1960)
Rokubei and the Thousand Rice Bowls (1962)
The Forever Christmas Tree (1963)
Sumi's Prize (1964)
The Sea of Gold, and Other Tales from Japan (1965)
In-Between Maya (1967)
Hisako's Mysteries (1969)
Sumi and the Goat and the Tokyo Express (1969)
Makoto, The Smallest Boy (1970)
Journey to Topaz: A Story of the Japanese American Evacuation (1971)
Samurai of Gold Hill (1972)
The Birthday Visitor (1975)
The Rooster who Understood Japanese (1976)
The Bracelet (1976)
originally published as a short story, Journey Home (1978)
Jar of Dreams (1981)
Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family (Autobiography) (1982)
Best Bad Thing (1983)
Picture Bride (1987)
Invisible Thread: An Autobiography (1991)
Magic Purse (1993)
Two Foolish Cats
The Happiest Ending
The Magic Purse
The Birthday Visitor
Sumi's Prize
A Jar of Dreams
(1). What did you like or dislike about the book?
I liked that this was a short story where a woman was able to provide the answers to the riddles over the men. I thought it was neat that the son disobeyed the rules and hid his mom and she ended up provided the solution needed.
(2). What in your life may have influenced your reaction or response to this book?
I was influenced by my joy trying to figure out riddles and the meaning of things. This contributed to my enjoyment reading this story.
(3). How would you compare this book to another book or books, or book or books by same author?
This story reminded me of the story of Moses. Moses and all children were to be killed. Moses parents put him in a basket for someone to save. He was found, raised illegally, and turned out to be an amazing biblical character. Thankfully someone didn’t listen and spared the lives of the old woman and Moses.
(4). What new thing (information or insight) did you learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that children’s stories can tell a message and prove that adults don’t always have all the right answers.
Other Books by Yoshiko Uchida
The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography
The Terrible Leak
Picture Bride
The Dancing Kettle and Other Japanese Folk Tales (1949)
New Friends for Susan (1951)
The Magic Listening Cap: More Folk Tales from Japan (1955)
The Full Circle (1957)
Takao and Grandfather's Sword (1958)
The Promised Year (1959)
Mik and the Prowler (1960)
Rokubei and the Thousand Rice Bowls (1962)
The Forever Christmas Tree (1963)
Sumi's Prize (1964)
The Sea of Gold, and Other Tales from Japan (1965)
In-Between Maya (1967)
Hisako's Mysteries (1969)
Sumi and the Goat and the Tokyo Express (1969)
Makoto, The Smallest Boy (1970)
Journey to Topaz: A Story of the Japanese American Evacuation (1971)
Samurai of Gold Hill (1972)
The Birthday Visitor (1975)
The Rooster who Understood Japanese (1976)
The Bracelet (1976)
originally published as a short story, Journey Home (1978)
Jar of Dreams (1981)
Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family (Autobiography) (1982)
Best Bad Thing (1983)
Picture Bride (1987)
Invisible Thread: An Autobiography (1991)
Magic Purse (1993)
Two Foolish Cats
The Happiest Ending
The Magic Purse
The Birthday Visitor
Sumi's Prize
A Jar of Dreams
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